LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL met February 18th.
Council member Sue McIlravy led a discussion on a partnership with the County going with Plumas Sierra Rural Cooperative for power rather than with Liberty “if it benefits the people.” In the audience, Mark Amodei questioned how much Plumas has power outages. Sue told of anticipated rate increases with Liberty and power bills having doubled with no more use and the possibility of forming a municipality. In the audience, Marina Foreman told how Liberty had her whole entire street blocked that day to replace a pole and Nevada Energy and Liberty were replacing a transformer. Council member Joy Markum wanted to look at the impact to the long term living. Sue reassured the audience, “It’s something we’re looking into.”
A Public Hearing was held on the 2024-29 Loyalton Housing Element, one of seven mandated elements of the general plan. The housing needs are approved by the State to receive grant funding and block grants. Discussion was largely centered on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). State law allows $1,200 plans available free for 740 sq. ft. ADUs, either detached or a “junior” inside a house converted. According to City Planning Director Gary Price, each house in Loyalton can have one of each.
According to the City’s Staff Report on the 2024-29 Housing Element Update, “The City will partner with the Regional Partnership for Achievable Housing Program with Sierra County and others to provide master plans for constructing new accessory dwelling units. This will include providing ADU plans at a cost of $1,200 to incentivize development of ADUs at market rental rates. The City will provide these plans at no cost to property owners that reserve rental rates at lower-income rental rates for a minimum 50 years (maximum 2 units per year).”
Price explained low income housing as work force housing and stated how the rental market was hard to find. The concern over limited water capacity in the City was discussed and stated it had to meet zoning standards. They treat modular and stick built houses the same with permanent foundations and the capacity for the City is two ADUs for the next five years. The Hous-
ing Element, with corrections, was approved by Joy Markum, seconded by Joe Dines. Price then told of “a lot more than the scope of work,” including work on the website and updating. The Housing Element is $10,000 under budget, which part will go toward the next annual report.
In other action, Day of Prayer was approved as May 1st, moved by Joy and seconded by Sue McIlravy and approved unanimously. Sue McIlravy told of her work on the Disaster Council following the Bear Fire. She told of forms to be filed out, recordings, hours logged and various costs to recover
funds. She explained the need of having someone in charge before something happens. Sue will lead the Council with Joy to volunteer along with City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc.
A Business License was approved for Bryton Power LLC, a solar contractor out of Lindon, Utah.
Council member Sue McIlravy led a discussion on a partnership with the County going with Plumas Sierra Rural Cooperative for power rather than with Liberty “if it benefits the people.” In the audience, Mark Amodei questioned how much Plumas has power outages. Sue told of anticipated rate increases with Liberty and power bills having doubled with no more use and the possibility of forming a municipality. In the audience, Marina Foreman told how Liberty had her whole entire street blocked that day to replace a pole and Nevada Energy and Liberty were replacing a transformer. Council member Joy Markum wanted to look at the impact to the long term living. Sue reassured the audience, “It’s something we’re looking into.”
A Public Hearing was held on the 2024-29 Loyalton Housing Element, one of seven mandated elements of the general plan. The housing needs are approved by the State to receive grant funding and block grants. Discussion was largely centered on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). State law allows $1,200 plans available free for 740 sq. ft. ADUs, either detached or a “junior” inside a house converted. According to City Planning Director Gary Price, each house in Loyalton can have one of each.
According to the City’s Staff Report on the 2024-29 Housing Element Update, “The City will partner with the Regional Partnership for Achievable Housing Program with Sierra County and others to provide master plans for constructing new accessory dwelling units. This will include providing ADU plans at a cost of $1,200 to incentivize development of ADUs at market rental rates. The City will provide these plans at no cost to property owners that reserve rental rates at lower-income rental rates for a minimum 50 years (maximum 2 units per year).”
Price explained low income housing as work force housing and stated how the rental market was hard to find. The concern over limited water capacity in the City was discussed and stated it had to meet zoning standards. They treat modular and stick built houses the same with permanent foundations and the capacity for the City is two ADUs for the next five years. The Hous-
ing Element, with corrections, was approved by Joy Markum, seconded by Joe Dines. Price then told of “a lot more than the scope of work,” including work on the website and updating. The Housing Element is $10,000 under budget, which part will go toward the next annual report.
In other action, Day of Prayer was approved as May 1st, moved by Joy and seconded by Sue McIlravy and approved unanimously. Sue McIlravy told of her work on the Disaster Council following the Bear Fire. She told of forms to be filed out, recordings, hours logged and various costs to recover
funds. She explained the need of having someone in charge before something happens. Sue will lead the Council with Joy to volunteer along with City Clerk Kathy LeBlanc.
A Business License was approved for Bryton Power LLC, a solar contractor out of Lindon, Utah.
